Genetically modified eucalyptus

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A genetically modified eucalyptus (GM eucalyptus) is an eucalyptus whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques, conferring desirable traits such as increased biomass, accelerated growth, pest resistance, and herbicide tolerance. In 2015, a GM eucalyptus variety, event H421, which provides higher wood volume and faster growth, received regulatory approval in Brazil for commercial release by the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio), becoming the first genetically modified eucalyptus approved in the world.[1] Subsequently, other GM eucalyptus varieties have also been approved, incorporating traits for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance.[2] While other countries conduct research on genetically modified trees,[3][4] Brazil is the only one to have released them for commercial-scale cultivation.[2]

Examples of transgenic eucalyptus

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H421 eucalyptus

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In 2015, a genetically modified eucalyptus variety, the event H421, which provides greater wood volume and accelerated growth, received regulatory approval in Brazil for commercial release.[1] The event, developed by FuturaGene, a biotechnology company owned by Suzano, a Brazilian pulp and paper company, was created in 2000 through the Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated recombination technique, in which the cel1 gene, originating from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, was inserted into the genome of a hybrid Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla. This gene encodes the enzyme endo-(1,4)-β-glucanase Cel1, whose function is related to cell wall remodeling during growth.[1] Endoglucanases act by breaking bonds in regions of non-crystalline cellulose and in xyloglucans, structural components of the plant cell wall. This process reduces the cross-linking between these fibers, increasing the flexibility of the cell wall matrix and facilitating cell expansion and elongation.[5][6] In A. thaliana, the Cel1 enzyme is highly expressed in rapidly growing young tissues and is essential for cell elongation.[7][8] When transferred to eucalyptus, this mechanism provided greater cell wall plasticity, allowing the cells to expand further and accumulate more biomass.[1] GM eucalyptus can increase wood productivity by 30 to 40% and reduce the harvest cycle from seven to about five and a half years, in addition to expanding the use of biomass for paper, bioenergy, biofuels, and other products.[9]

Glyphosate-tolerant eucalyptus

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FuturaGene developed and obtained approval in Brazil for the commercial use of genetically modified eucalyptus tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate.[10] These GM events received the cp4-epsps gene, which expresses a version of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS),[11] associated with the synthesis of the essential amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan,[12] from the CP4 strain of the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which is not inhibited by glyphosate.[11][13][14] The 751K032 characterized the first event of this type, approved in Brazil in 2021.[10]

Bt eucalyptus

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Bt eucalyptus is a GM variety developed to resist insect attacks, particularly from defoliating lepidopterans.[15] These pests can significantly reduce productivity, with losses of up to 40% per year,[16] in addition to compromising wood quality and pulp production.[17] The company FuturaGene inserted into eucalyptus three genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This bacterium produces insecticidal proteins called Cry, which specifically target the intestines of certain caterpillars. In the case of Bt eucalyptus, the genes Cry1Ab, Cry1Bb, and Cry2Aa were introduced, ensuring broad protection against defoliators.[15] The Bt event 1521K059 was approved by CTNBio in 2023.[18]

Frost tolerance eucalyptus

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Freeze-tolerant GM eucalyptus trees for use in southern US plantations are currently being tested in open air sites with such an objective in mind.[3] ArborGen, a tree biotechnology company and joint venture of pulp and paper firms Rubicon (New Zealand), MeadWestvaco (US) and International Paper (US)[19] is leading this research.[20] Until now the cultivation of eucalyptus has only been possible on the southern tip of Florida, freeze-tolerance would substantially extend the cultivation range northwards.[21]

Stacked traits

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FuturaGene developed GM varieties that combine multiple traits of interest. In 2024, CTNBio approved event H421 × 955P082 × 1521K059, obtained through conventional crossing of these respective varieties, which combines higher productivity, glyphosate herbicide tolerance, and insect resistance.[22]

Controversy

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Genetically modified eucalyptus developed in Brazil exhibit a biosafety profile equivalent to that of conventional varieties.[1][15][23][24][25] The introduced proteins, such as Cry proteins, have shown high specificity against lepidopteran pests and did not exhibit relevant toxicity or allergenicity in conducted tests.[15] Trials with non-target organisms, including bees, earthworms, springtails, and aquatic invertebrates, also indicated no adverse effects.[15] Comparative analyses have shown that genetically modified varieties behave similarly to conventional ones, providing productive benefits without introducing significant new risks to human or animal health or the environment.[1][15][23][24][25] However, the introduction of glyphosate tolerance requires careful attention, as intensive herbicide use can accelerate the selection of resistant weeds, necessitating integrated management strategies.[23][26]

Studies on gene flow in genetically modified eucalyptus indicate that fertilization of other eucalyptus trees at distances greater than 600 meters is unlikely. Thus, there is no significant risk of long-distance gene transfer due to pollen dispersal by wind.[27][28] Silva et al. (2017) monitored an experimental field between 2010 and 2014 and did not observe any natural emergence of seedlings from seeds produced by the trees without human intervention, reinforcing the understanding that eucalyptus has low invasiveness potential in competitive tropical environments. In the same study, pollen-mediated gene flow was observed to be more intense at short distances (up to 16% between 3 and 15 m), decreasing rapidly to about 3% at 240 m and remaining at low levels up to 650 m.[29] Silva and Abrahão (2020) evaluated pollen dispersal over greater distances, up to 1,592 m, and found transgenic offspring in very low proportions beyond 300 m (only two individuals, at 400 and 857 m), with zero rates beyond that. Although they confirmed effective crossings in compatible trees with synchronized flowering, they also did not detect the natural emergence of seedlings.[30]

Bees and eucalyptus maintain a close, long-standing, and well-known relationship.[31] Toxicological studies conducted in both laboratory and field settings have assessed the impact of genetically modified eucalyptus pollen on bees. The results show that modified eucalyptus does not affect the organization, morphology, or mortality of Apis bees, nor the mortality of native bees. Furthermore, analyses of honey, pollen, and propolis found no differences in the quality of products from areas cultivated with modified eucalyptus compared to conventional eucalyptus.[27][32]

Critics oppose genetically modified crops for various reasons, including ecological concerns and economic issues arising from the fact that these organisms are subject to intellectual property law.[33] The detection of transgenes in honey can have socioeconomic impacts for honey farmers, preventing them from labeling their products as organic or agroecological and increasing the risk of trade barriers for export.[34] Field studies indicate that genetically modified eucalyptus does not consume more water than conventional eucalyptus. Research on soil arthropod diversity and microbiota has shown no significant differences between areas with modified and conventional eucalyptus. Since the abundance of these organisms depends on the physical, chemical, and hydrological properties of the soil, the results suggest that transgenic eucalyptus does not alter soil hydrology nor negatively impact indicator organisms.[27]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Pinheiro, Ana Cristina; dos Santos, Anselmo Azevedo; Avisar, Dror; Gonsalves, José Mateus; Galan, Maria Paula; Abramson, Miron; Barimboim, Noga; Abrahão, Othon; Graça, Rodrigo Neves; Drezza, Thaís Regina; Silva, William (2023-10-03). "Five-years post commercial approval monitoring of eucalyptus H421". Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 11 1257576. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2023.1257576. ISSN 2296-4185. PMC 10580069. PMID 37854879.
  2. ^ a b "Eucalyptus(Eucalyptus sp.) GM Events". GM Approval Database, ISAAA. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. ^ a b Wear, David N.; Dixon, Ernest; Abt, Robert C.; Singh, Navinder (2015-06-18). "Projecting Potential Adoption of Genetically Engineered Freeze-Tolerant Eucalyptus in the United States". Forest Science. 61 (3): 466–480. doi:10.5849/forsci.14-089. ISSN 0015-749X.
  4. ^ "Environmentalists are urging the USDA to reject this genetically engineered eucalyptus tree". The Washington Post. 2017-08-08. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  5. ^ Carpita, Nicholas C.; Gibeaut, David M. (1993). "Structural models of primary cell walls in flowering plants: consistency of molecular structure with the physical properties of the walls during growth". The Plant Journal. 3 (1): 1–30. doi:10.1111/j.1365-313X.1993.tb00007.x. ISSN 0960-7412. PMID 8401598.
  6. ^ Hayashi, Takahisa, ed. (2006). The science and lore of the plant cell wall: biosynthesis, structure and function. Boca Raton, Fla: Brown Walker Press. ISBN 978-1-58112-445-3.
  7. ^ Shani, Ziv; Dekel, Mara; Tsabary, Galit; Goren, Raphael; Shoseyov, Oded (2004). "Growth enhancement of transgenic poplar plants by overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana endo-1,4–β-glucanase (cel1)". Molecular Breeding. 14 (3): 321–330. Bibcode:2004MBree..14..321S. doi:10.1023/B:MOLB.0000049213.15952.8a. ISSN 1380-3743.
  8. ^ Park, Yong Woo; Baba, Kei'ichi; Furuta, Yuzo; Iida, Ikuho; Sameshima, Kazuhiko; Arai, Motoh; Hayashi, Takahisa (2004). "Enhancement of growth and cellulose accumulation by overexpression of xyloglucanase in poplar". FEBS Letters. 564 (1–2): 183–187. Bibcode:2004FEBSL.564..183P. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(04)00346-1. ISSN 0014-5793. PMID 15094064.
  9. ^ Silveira, Evanildo da (February 2013). "Mais celulose por centímetro quadrado". Revista Pesquisa FAPESP (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  10. ^ a b "PARECER TÉCNICO Nº 1638/2021/SEI-CTNBio". Comissão Técnica Nacional de Biossegurança (in Brazilian Portuguese). December 17, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Mota Porto, Antonio Carlos; Wisniewski Gonsalves, José Mateus; Vieira, Paula Aparecida; Perek, Matheus; da Costa Lima, Diego; Nagayschi, Marcio; Drezza, Thais Regina; Pinheiro, Ana Cristina; de Mello, Eduardo Jose; Avisar, Dror; Neves Graca, Rodrigo (2024). "Characterization of glyphosate-tolerant genetically modified eucalyptus". GM Crops & Food. 15 (1): 361–373. Bibcode:2024GMCFB..15..361M. doi:10.1080/21645698.2024.2429200. ISSN 2164-5698. PMC 11591478. PMID 39582156.
  12. ^ "Aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, The shikimate pathway – synthesis of chorismate". Metabolic Plant Physiology Lecture notes. Purdue University, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. October 1, 2009. Archived from the original on 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  13. ^ Steinrücken, H.C.; Amrhein, N. (1980). "The herbicide glyphosate is a potent inhibitor of 5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid-3-phosphate synthase". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 94 (4): 1207–1212. Bibcode:1980BBRC...94.1207S. doi:10.1016/0006-291X(80)90547-1. PMID 7396959.
  14. ^ Funke, Todd; Han, Huijong; Healy-Fried, Martha L.; Fischer, Markus; Schönbrunn, Ernst (2006). "Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 103 (35): 13010–13015. Bibcode:2006PNAS..10313010F. doi:10.1073/pnas.0603638103. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 1559744. PMID 16916934.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Avisar, Dror; Manoeli, Alexandre; Dos Santos, Anselmo Azevedo; Porto, Antonio Carlos Da Mota; Rocha, Carolina Da Silva; Zauza, Edival; Gonzalez, Esteban R.; Soliman, Everton; Gonsalves, José Mateus Wisniewski; Bombonato, Lorena; Galan, Maria P.; Domingues, Maurício M.; Candelaria, Murici Carlos; Mafia, Reginaldo; Graça, Rodrigo Neves (2024). "Genetically engineered eucalyptus expressing pesticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis for insect resistance: a risk assessment evaluation perspective". Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 12 1322985. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1322985. ISSN 2296-4185. PMC 10982518. PMID 38562667.
  16. ^ Asiegbu, Fred O.; Kovalchuk, Andriy (2023). Forest microbiology. London: Academic press, an imprint of Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-443-18695-0.
  17. ^ Zanuncio, Antonio José Vinha; Carvalho, Amélia Guimarães; de Camargo, Mariane Bueno; Milagres, Flaviana Reis; de Castro, Vinícius Resende; Colodette, Jorge Luiz; Vidaurre, Graziela Baptista; Zanuncio, José Cola (2020). "Defoliation by insects reduces the wood quality and cellulosic pulp production". Holzforschung. 74 (5): 489–495. doi:10.1515/hf-2019-0134. ISSN 1437-434X.
  18. ^ "PARECER TÉCNICO Nº 180/2023/SEI-CTNBio". Comissão Técnica Nacional de Biossegurança (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 26, 2023.
  19. ^ Harfouche, A.; et al. (2011). "Tree genetic engineering and applications to sustainable forestry and biomass production". Trends in Biotechnology. 29 (1): 9–17. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2010.09.003. PMID 20970211. ArborGen is a joint venture between International Paper Company (USA) MeadWestvaco (USA) and Rubicon Limited (New Zealand) (p.13)
  20. ^ Institute of Forest Biotechnology (2007). "Genetically Engineered Forest Trees - Identifying Priorities for Ecological Risk Assessment - Summary of a Multistakeholder Workshop" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014. private company ArborGen is reportedly focusing on the development of three GE varieties: fast-growing loblolly pine for Southern pine plantations, low-lignin eucalyptus for use in South America, and cold-hardy eucalyptus for the Southern U.S. (p. ix)
  21. ^ "Deliberate release of genetically modified trees An abundance of poplars". GMO Safety. 1 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014. A gene has been introduced into the trees that makes them less sensitive to cold. Until now cultivation of eucalyptus in the US was only possible on the southern tip of Florida; frost tolerance could mean that cultivation would be possible in other parts of the USA.
  22. ^ "PARECER TÉCNICO Nº 291/2024/SEI-CTNBio". Comissão Técnica Nacional de Biossegurança (in Brazilian Portuguese). March 22, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Avisar, Dror; Dias, Tatiane B.; Santos, Anselmo A. dos; Galan, Maria P.; Gonsalves, José M. W; Graça, Rodrigo N.; Livne, Sivan; Manoeli, Alexandre; Drezza, Thaís R.; Porto, Antonio C. M.; Rocha, Carolina S.; Pinheiro, Ana Cristina (2023). "Safety of genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant eucalyptus designed for integrated weed management". Advances in Weed Science. 41 e020230032. doi:10.51694/AdvWeedSci/2023;41:00019. ISSN 2675-9462.
  24. ^ a b Avisar, Dror; Azulay, Shelly; Bombonato, Lorena; Carvalho, Denise; Dallapicolla, Heitor; de Souza, Carla; dos Santos, Anselmo; Dias, Tatiane; Galan, Maria Paula; Galvao, Milton; Gonsalves, José Mateus; Gonzales, Esteban; Graça, Rodrigo; Livne, Sivan; Mafia, Reginaldo (2023). "Safety Assessment of the CP4 EPSPS and NPTII Proteins in Eucalyptus". GM Crops & Food. 14 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1080/21645698.2023.2222436. ISSN 2164-5698. PMC 10281460. PMID 37334790.
  25. ^ a b Lucas, Aline M.; Pasquali, Giancarlo; Astarita, Leandro V.; Cassel, Eduardo (2017). "Comparison of genetically engineered (GE) and non-GE Eucalyptus trees using secondary metabolites obtained by steam distillation". Journal of Essential Oil Research. 29 (1): 22–31. doi:10.1080/10412905.2016.1187674. ISSN 1041-2905.
  26. ^ Lopez Ovejero, R. F.; Fonseca, L. B.; Galli, A. J. B.; Christoffoleti, Pedro Jacob (2009). "Resistência de plantas daninhas ao herbicida glifosato no Brasil: situação atual e mitigação". Herbologia e Biodiversidade numa agricultura sustentável (in Brazilian Portuguese).
  27. ^ a b c "Esclarecimento sobre questões relativas ao Eucalipto Geneticamente Modificado da FuturaGene" (PDF). dialogoflorestal.org.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 21, 2014.
  28. ^ "Professor da ESALQ esclarece características do eucalipto transgênico". Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", University of São Paulo. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  29. ^ Silva, Paulo H.M. da; Sebbenn, Alexandre M.; Grattapaglia, Dario; Conti, José Luiz F. (2017). "Realized pollen flow and wildling establishment from a genetically modified eucalypt field trial in Southeastern Brazil". Forest Ecology and Management. 385: 161–166. Bibcode:2017ForEM.385..161S. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2016.11.043.
  30. ^ da Silva, Paulo Henrique Muller; Abrahão, Othon Silva (2021). "Gene flow and spontaneous seedling establishment around genetically modified eucalypt plantations". New Forests. 52 (3): 349–361. Bibcode:2021NewFo..52..349D. doi:10.1007/s11056-020-09800-7. ISSN 0169-4286.
  31. ^ Wolff, L. F.; Schuhli, G. S. e (2021). "Eucaliptos e abelhas". Embrapa (in Brazilian Portuguese).
  32. ^ dos Santos, Charles F.; Ramos, Jenifer D.; de Carvalho, Fernanda G.; Dorneles, Andressa L.; Menezes, Thais R. D.; Pinheiro, Ana Cristina; Blochtein, Betina (2023). "Survivorship and food consumption of immatures and adults of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona bipunctata exposed to genetically modified eucalyptus pollen". Transgenic Research. 32 (3): 179–191. doi:10.1007/s11248-023-00343-z. ISSN 0962-8819. PMC 10195733. PMID 37029291.
  33. ^ "Para especialista, "eucalipto transgênico vai sugar água até que ela acabe"". MST (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2015-04-08. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  34. ^ "Manifesto pela retirada de todos pedidos de liberação de eucalipto transgênico na CTNBIO" (PDF). Instituto de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC) (in Brazilian Portuguese).